Dog Control - Council Policy
| Sponsor: |
General Manager City Planning & Environmental Services |
| Date Approved: |
21 May 1997 |
| Date Reviewed: |
23 September 2009 |
| File Reference: |
13/1 |
| Community Outcome: |
Safety and Community Spirit
A safe, friendly city where all people feel connected and valued. |
Objective
To enable people to enjoy the benefits of dog ownership and provide for the exercise and recreational needs of dogs and their owners, whilst minimising danger, distress and nuisance to the community generally.
Policy
This Policy has been adopted pursuant to the functions, duties and powers conferred on Hamilton City Council (‘Council’) by the Dog Control Act 1996 (www.legislation.govt.nz) and takes into account:
- The need to minimise danger, distress, and nuisance to the community generally; and
- The need to avoid the inherent danger in allowing dogs to have uncontrolled access to public places that are frequented by children, whether or not the children are accompanied by adults; and
- The importance of enabling, to the extent that is practicable, the public (including families) to use streets and public amenities without fear of attack or intimidation by dogs; and
- The exercise and recreational needs of dogs and their owners.
Council is committed to achieving the purpose of the Dog Control Act 1996 and fulfilling its duties pursuant to that legislation.
The objective will be achieved by a combination of public education, liaison with other service providers, and where necessary enforcement action.
Education
Council considers that involvement in education, and liaison with dog clubs and other service providers, is an appropriate and valuable role. Dogs need to be trained and socialised so that they learn how to behave in a public environment. Council staff will undertake education initiatives with dog owners to enhance the knowledge and skill of dog owners on the care and control of dogs, with a particular focus on the owners of dogs with behavioural issues.
Council will also seek to enhance the knowledge of the public generally, particularly children, on safety around dogs and other dog-related issues. Liaison with dog obedience clubs and other service providers in the city is considered an important role for Council. Council will seek to develop a partnership with the clubs and service providers to achieve the objective of this policy.
Regulation and Enforcement
Council has formulated a Dog Control Bylaw (www.hamilton.co.nz) that is the primary enforcement mechanism of this policy. The prohibited areas and exercise areas are set out in schedules attached to this Policy and the Dog Control Bylaw 2009.
Whilst Council will pursue education of dog owners and the public generally to avoid and minimise dog related issues in the city, enforcement of the provisions of the Dog Control Bylaw is critical to maintain public safety and to minimise danger, distress, and nuisance to the community from dogs.
Prohibited Areas, Restricted Areas and Exercise Areas
Council aims to provide appropriately for the exercise and recreational needs of dogs. Council has designated a number of areas within the city where dogs may exercise without being on a leash or similar device (see attached Schedule 1), and areas where dogs are prohibited (see attached Schedule 2).
Council’s intention is to progressively upgrade the network of designated dog exercise areas within the city, and the associated facilities within those areas, to enhance provision for the exercise and recreational needs of dogs and their owners.
De-sexing
Council will look to encourage de-sexing of dogs to support the overall aims of responsible dog ownership by reducing the number of roaming dogs, unwanted litters of puppies and the number of impounded dogs.
Council will require mandatory de-sexing of dogs classified as menacing in accordance with the provisions of the Dog Control Act 1996. Mandatory de-sexing also includes dogs classified as menacing by other territorial authorities where that dog is in the jurisdiction of Hamilton City Council.
Probationary Owners
Council may require a person that is classified as a probationary owner in accordance with the provisions of the Dog Control Act 1996 to undertake, at his or her own expense, a dog owner education programme or a dog obedience course (or both) approved by Council.
Fees and Charges
The Dog Control Act 1996 empowers Council to impose reasonable fees and charges for the registration and control of dogs. The fees and charges aim to incentivise through the use of fee categories and discounts, responsible dog ownership, and the prompt payment of registration fees. The fees and charges will be prescribed each year on the Schedule of Fees and Charges through the Annual Plan.
Schedule 1: Areas within Hamilton City Designated as Dog Exercise Areas
Beetham Park
Braithwaite Park
Bristol Park
Crawshaw Park
Days’ Park
Hamilton Gardens
Innes Common
Melville Park
Minogue Park
Porritt Stadium
Pukete Farm Park
Resthills Park
Tauhara Park
Till’s Lookout
Claudelands Park
Schedule 2: Areas within Hamilton City Where Dogs are Prohibited
Hamilton Gardens
Hamilton Lake Domain
Within 10 metres of all areas of children’s playgrounds.
Previous Review Dates
10 March 2008
25 May 2005
13 May 2005
29 September 2004
22 September 2002
